"Oh? Who is this man? Judging by his physique, honed by the Horizontal Training of Bones and Muscles, he’s actually reached Skin Tempering Realm Perfection. Quite a rare talent."

Liu Yunzhen lightly caressed the Jade Ring on his thumb, his gaze falling upon Sun Yan as he asked with great interest.

Beside him, Liu Yuan immediately offered a charming smile and said attentively, "Third Young Master, you have a discerning eye. That’s the genius from our Black Stone City’s Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall, Sun Yan. He has an excellent constitution and excels at Hard Skills. Among the younger generation of the Outer City, his strength is second to none."

"Mm. His aura is like a tiger’s. He’d make a good vanguard. I could consider taking him in as a subordinate. And who is this Su Yu he’s challenging?"

Hearing Su Yu’s name, a trace of disdain flashed in Liu Yuan’s eyes. "He’s nothing but a country bumpkin from a minor martial arts hall. Although he has some minor fame, he’s no match for Sun Yan."

"In that case, forget it."

Liu Yunzhen chuckled, then turned to a man in green robes behind him who carried a long spear and instructed:

"Liu Kun, after Sun Yan wins, go up there and show him a thing or two. Suppress his arrogance. A wild, untamable horse like him must be broken before he can be bridled."

"Yes, Third Brother." Liu Kun cupped his fist and accepted the order, his expression proud.

Although he was from a branch of the Jian’an Prefecture’s Liu Family, he had been exceptionally talented since childhood and cultivated with the Main Liu Family. He never lacked for resources, and the Cultivation Techniques he practiced were all Profound Tier. Naturally, he looked down on the so-called geniuses of Black Stone City.

On the other side of the arena were the members of the Flying Fish Martial Arts Hall.

The short blade in Ding Mianyue’s hand spun rapidly between her fingers, tracing arcs of cold light. She stared at Sun Yan on the stage and snorted coldly, "This big oaf’s realm is decent enough, but I don’t like his arrogant attitude. I’m going up there to cripple him!"

Just as Ding Mianyue was about to make a move, her senior brother beside her, Jiang Pingzhi, stopped her.

Jiang Pingzhi was twenty this year, a year older than Ding Mianyue, but he was already an expert in the Flesh Refining Realm. He had a sly, gentle look and said with a smile, "Junior Sister, be patient. Let these country bumpkins from Black Stone City fight amongst themselves first. Wouldn’t it be too troublesome for you to deal with them one by one? Besides, our target this time is that group from Jian’an Prefecture."

...

Over with the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, Qin Fangqiong looked at Su Yu. "Disciple, whether you’re confident or not, you must ensure your own safety!"

Facing his master’s concern, Su Yu nodded slightly and calmly stepped onto the arena stage, each step as steady as a mountain.

Seeing Su Yu mount the stage, a bloodthirsty fervor erupted in Sun Yan’s eyes. He threw his head back and laughed maniacally. "HAHAHA! Su Yu! I thought you’d hide below like a cowardly turtle! Since you dared to come up here, I’ll crush your bones one by one today to avenge my brother!"

On the high platform, the upper echelons of the Public Security Bureau were also watching this battle.

"This Sun Yan is not bad," Mansion Master Pang Xuan commented, sitting in a commanding posture. "His Qi and Blood are at Perfection and completely integrated. It looks like he’s only half a step away from breaking into the Flesh Refining Realm. Given time, he might become another Cui Wanhe."

Li Jingxuan frowned upon hearing this. "Mansion Master, Sun Yan doesn’t play by the rules. He was disciplined last time and wasn’t admitted into the Public Security Bureau. I’m afraid he’s going to cause trouble again this time."

"Haha, Commander Li," Commander Zhao Sen said in a sinister tone, "this Yuan Lantern Festival Battle is different from the Martial Examination. The factions are fighting for reputation, and our Public Security Bureau hasn’t set any rules! Once they’re on the stage, they represent their respective factions. If someone gets killed, it can only be blamed on their lack of skill. Let them sort it out themselves!"

Su Yu had previously injured one of the men under his Vice Commander, Zou Wentao, so Zhao Sen naturally disliked him.

Li Jingxuan snorted coldly upon hearing this and said no more.

...

「In the center of the arena.」

"Su Yu! You killed Song Qingya in three punches, so today I’ll kill you, you bastard, in three punches as well! I’ll show you what true despair is!"

"You talk too much!" Su Yu replied coldly.

Enraged by his attitude, Sun Yan let out a furious roar as a series of cracks echoed from his entire skeleton.

"VMMMM!"

As his Qi and Blood circulated wildly, his originally bronze-colored skin instantly turned as black as ink, glowing with the cold, hard sheen of pig iron. His fists, in particular, looked like two heavy hammers of black iron, exuding a suffocating pressure.

"Third-Turn Iron Armor Skill at Perfection! And that’s... a sign of the Black Stone Body Forging Skill!"

An experienced Martial Artist in the crowd exclaimed, "Heavens! He’s practicing a Dual Cultivation of Hard Skills! With Qi and Blood at Skin Tempering Perfection on top of that, Su Yu is finished!"

"Die!"

The ground beneath Sun Yan’s feet shattered. Like a rampaging bear, he instantly charged in front of Su Yu, bringing a ferocious gale with him.

"Gold-Breaking Fist!"

This punch had no flair—only pure power and hardness, aimed straight for Su Yu’s face!

Facing this terrifying blow—one that could instantly kill an ordinary Martial Artist—Su Yu didn’t even blink.

He didn’t draw his saber, nor did he dodge. He didn’t even move a single step.

He just slowly raised his right arm and clenched his five fingers into a fist.

He shouted inwardly, ’Profound Silver Flow Armor! Rise!’

In that instant, a burst of violent Qi and Blood erupted from within Su Yu’s body.

A strange membrane with the slick, oily sheen of mercury suddenly appeared on his right arm, flowing like liquid to instantly envelop his right fist.

"BOOM—"

The two fists collided brutally in mid-air with no frills.

A deafening explosion, like the toll of a great bell, shook the entire venue. Terrifying ripples of air instantly spread out, shattering the ground beneath their feet and sending stone fragments flying like hidden weapons!

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Then, a scene that left everyone dumbfounded occurred.

Su Yu, who had taken the blow head-on, remained rooted to the spot, completely unmoved. Even the hem of his clothes was undisturbed.

But Sun Yan, despite being at Third Acupoint Perfection and practicing a Dual Cultivation of Hard Skills, seemed to have crashed into an immovable mountain.

"CRACK!"

Sun Yan’s expression changed drastically as he felt a powerful rebounding force surge up his arm.

With a muffled grunt, he was sent staggering back seven steps, each one leaving a deep footprint in the ground. Only then did he barely manage to stabilize himself, his right arm trembling uncontrollably!

「On the high platform.」

Pang Xuan, who had been sitting and watching the show, shot to his feet. His eyes were fixed on Su Yu’s fist, which shimmered with a silver light, and he was utterly shocked:

’That’s... Profound Silver Flow Armor? How is that possible!’

"What!"

The teacup in Zhao Sen’s hand was crushed into dust with a CRACK. "Is that the Profound Silver Flow Armor from reaching Minor Achievement in the Black Stone Body Forging Skill? The technique was handed out during the last Martial Examination. How much time has passed? This kid has already reached Minor Achievement?"

Li Jingxuan was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy. He slapped the armrest of his chair and laughed heartily.

"HAHAHA! Commander Zhao, it seems my subordinate is quite the genius. If he ends up killing Sun Yan in a bit, don’t you dare say he broke the rules. The Public Security Bureau isn’t getting involved, remember?"

...

「On the arena stage.」

Sun Yan stared at Su Yu’s unscathed fist, his eyes filled with disbelief and terror.

"N-No... Impossible! How can your skin be harder than mine? How can you be stronger than me?"

’I’m at Third Acupoint Perfection! I’m practicing a Dual Cultivation of Hard Skills!’

’With that last punch, it felt like I’d hit a suit of flowing Mercury Armor! Not only was most of the force dispersed, but the rebound felt like I’d been rammed by a tyrannosaurus!’

Su Yu slowly retracted his fist, his tone disappointed. "Is that all?"

"Weren’t you going to kill me in three punches?"

From that exchange, he had already gauged Sun Yan’s strength. He was a whole level below him.

’I have to admit, the Profound Tier Black Stone Body Forging Skill is truly monstrous. Just at Minor Achievement, the Qi and Blood enhancement has already increased my physical strength by more than fifty percent.’

’In terms of defense, the Profound Silver Flow Armor completely outclasses the Third-Turn Iron Armor Skill! Not just in raw hardness, but also in flexibility, endurance, and the ability to disperse force—it’s superior in every way!’

"My turn!"

The next moment, he took a step forward.

"BOOM!"

He unleashed the Seven Fiends Thunder Collapse Step, and the air cracked with a sharp bang.

His figure vanished from sight, reappearing instantly in front of Sun Yan.

"Tongbei Mountain Splitting!"

An iron fist, covered by the Profound Silver Flow Armor, descended from above with a despair-inducing whistle!

"Get lost!"

Speed had never been Sun Yan’s strong suit. Faced with Su Yu’s incredible velocity, he knew he couldn’t dodge. He could only raise both arms and desperately channel his Qi and Blood to block the blow head-on.

"BANG!"

With a dull, heavy thud, Sun Yan’s arms were smashed down into his own chest. The force of the punch buckled his knees, and he crashed to the ground, the impact of his knees creating two deep pits with a CRACK!

"Trash!" Su Yu’s voice was cold.

Immediately after, he followed up with a sweeping whip kick, using the momentum!

"BANG!"

Sun Yan was sent flying sideways like a kicked ball. He violently spat a mouthful of blood in mid-air as the Iron Armor on his body shattered and crumbled, revealing the pale flesh beneath.

Like a shadow, Su Yu caught up to the still-airborne Sun Yan. He clasped his hands together and brought them down like a sledgehammer!

"KRA-BOOM—"

Sun Yan was slammed heavily onto the edge of the arena, and the floor beneath him exploded. He lay in the pile of rubble, convulsing. His sternum was shattered, and all his earlier arrogance was gone, replaced by endless terror.